City Plans to Remove Debris from Chippewa Creek

The city has gotten permission to clear out debris in Chippewa Creek.

Residents living along Chippewa Creek saw some , and the city has been looking into what steps it can take to help alleviate the problem.

The problem began for residents of Winding Creek condominiums in the 2006 flood, said Marge Putka, president of the condominiums’ association. And last year, the heavy rains led to more flooding for the residents. In July of 2011, Putka said the creek water came rushing into five units, displacing many residents for months while they paid for repairs to their homes. Water also flowed into garages, damaging vehicles.

Putka said she thinks that if the city had dredged the creek and removed the debris, last year’s flooding wouldn’t have been so drastic. She said she is grateful that the city is now taking action, but wishes they had done so sooner.

Much of the creek is private property, and the city had to seek before it could take any action.

The corps gave the city permission to move stockpiles of debris from the creek earlier this month, which should allow water to flow more easily. , council member and chair of the utilities committee, said residents had asked for the stockpile to be moved.

The city has to wait until the ground dries up a bit to move forward with the project, which will likely happen this summer. They are getting cost estimates now to present to council.

And the city is also working on plans for a . The pond will mostly catch runoff water from city property, like Public Square, and will help protect from flooding, said City Engineer Gerald Wise. But the pond should also help slow the flow of water into Chippewa Creek.

“Anything can help,” Harwood said.